PCLAX vs. GLD

Last updated Jun 27, 2026

PCLAX (PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both funds - PCLAX is a Commodities fund managed by PIMCO, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Over the past 10 years, PCLAX returned 10.46%/yr vs 11.54%/yr for GLD. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PCLAX charges 1.19%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.

Performance

PCLAX vs. GLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund (PCLAX) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PCLAX achieves a 23.22% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's -5.72% return. Over the past 10 years, PCLAX has underperformed GLD with an annualized return of 10.46%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively higher 11.54% annualized return.

PCLAX

• 1D: 1.69%
• 1M: -7.91%
• YTD: 23.22%
• 6M: 20.79%
• 1Y: 28.89%
• 3Y*: 12.14%
• 5Y*: 12.78%
• 10Y*: 10.46%

GLD

• 1D: 1.13%
• 1M: -8.53%
• YTD: -5.72%
• 6M: -10.34%
• 1Y: 21.79%
• 3Y*: 28.11%
• 5Y*: 17.53%
• 10Y*: 11.54%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

PCLAX vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PCLAX PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund	23.22%	4.13%	5.76%	-0.14%	22.73%	43.18%	-9.67%	19.19%	-12.47%	10.30%
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	-5.72%	63.68%	26.66%	12.69%	-0.77%	-4.15%	24.81%	17.86%	-1.94%	12.81%

Correlation

The correlation between PCLAX and GLD is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 2010	0.23

The correlation between PCLAX and GLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.12 (1 year) to 0.24 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PCLAX vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

PCLAX

PCLAX Risk / Return Rank: 41
PCLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
PCLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
PCLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
PCLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
PCLAX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

GLD

GLD Risk / Return Rank: 22
GLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
GLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
GLD Omega Ratio Rank: 25
GLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
GLD Martin Ratio Rank: 20

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

PCLAX vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund (PCLAX) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	PCLAX	GLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.56	0.79	+0.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.12	1.14	+0.98
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.17	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.93	0.84	+1.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.84	2.30	+6.54

PCLAX vs. GLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PCLAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.56, which is higher than the GLD Sharpe Ratio of 0.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PCLAX and GLD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PCLAX vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PCLAX drawdown since its inception was -68.19%, which is greater than GLD's maximum drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PCLAX and GLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	PCLAX	GLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.19%	-45.56%	-22.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.53%	-26.21%	+10.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.53%	-26.21%	+10.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.75%	-26.21%	+4.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.00%	-26.21%	-25.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.10%	-24.66%	+10.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.59%	-16.17%	-9.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.38%	9.50%	-6.12%

Volatility

PCLAX vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund (PCLAX) is 5.22%, while SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a volatility of 8.81%. This indicates that PCLAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PCLAX	GLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.22%	8.81%	-3.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.41%	24.47%	-7.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.21%	27.73%	-8.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.58%	18.30%	+1.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	40.64%	16.07%	+24.57%

PCLAX vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

PCLAX has a 1.19% expense ratio, which is higher than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

PCLAX vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison

PCLAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.78%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PCLAX PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund	11.78%	1.20%	5.20%	4.58%	44.24%	75.67%	0.45%	2.07%	18.31%	12.18%	0.09%	1.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PCLAX and GLD in my portfolio?

PCLAX and GLD have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PCLAX or GLD?

GLD has higher volatility (8.81%) compared to PCLAX (5.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PCLAX dropped -68.19% vs GLD's -45.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PCLAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.56 vs 0.79), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.